I'm Never at a Loss (Seeking Subscriptions)

Outside Kirigakure, deep within a certain mist-shrouded canyon.

Takigawa Hyuga paced restlessly, back and forth.

"As a ninja, your willpower training is far from sufficient," Orochimaru leaned against a tree, arms crossed, his slit pupils lazily watching him.

Takigawa Hyuga snorted, "Orochimaru, I feel like you're trying to harm me!"

Orochimaru smiled without speaking.

Takigawa Hyuga became furious, "You say you're provoking the relationship between the Hyuga Ninja and Kirigakure, but whether it's the Hyuga Ninja or the people of Kirigakure, they aren't fools. They'll discover the problem with a little thought!"

"And so," Orochimaru spoke slowly.

"So, they will definitely investigate this together, and when that happens, I..."

Before Takigawa Hyuga could finish, Orochimaru interrupted, "Joint investigation? Taki, if you were the Fourth Mizukage, would you allow all the Hyuga Ninja to leave the village to participate in the investigation?"

Takigawa Hyuga's expression froze.

That's right, if he were the Fourth Mizukage, he absolutely wouldn't let them leave the village together to investigate before the Hyuga Clan's suspicion was completely cleared. After all, these were thirteen Elite Jonin. If they suddenly attacked after leaving the village...

"They're here, twenty-four in total."

A White Zetsu Clone suddenly emerged halfway from a tree trunk and said, "Gekko Hayate, Hizashi Hyuga, Mei Terumi, and twenty Mist Ninja Anbu!"

Orochimaru smiled. Only Gekko Hayate and Hizashi Hyuga from Konoha had arrived, which was about as he expected.

As for Kirigakure's side, twenty Anbu were a bit beyond his expectations. After all, although Takigawa Hyuga had attacked six people, he hadn't killed anyone, and the injured were only Genin. Sending twenty Anbu was a bit excessive.

Wait, that's only twenty-three people.

Orochimaru looked at the White Zetsu Clone.

The White Zetsu Clone chuckled, "The last person is the Fourth Mizukage!"

"So that's how it